The relationship between polymorphism of IGF2BP2 gene rs4402960 and risk of pan-cancer: a meta-analysis and a bioinformatics analysis

Abstract Background Although some studies have established the relationship between insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) rs4402960 polymorphism and the pathogenesis of cancer. But the results are contradictory. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between IGF2BP2 gene polymorphism and cancer risk. Furthermore, the expression of IGF2BP2 in pan-cancer tissues and normal tissues was further analyzed from the perspective of bioinformatics analysis. Methods Using published case–control studies up to August 15, 2021, the literature search included searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE to determine the samples that met the inclusion criteria. The heterogeneity test was used in five genetic models. Odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-values were used to evaluate the combined effects of various genetic models. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also performed. Transcriptomic information on IGF2BP2 and corresponding clinical information was downloaded from the TCGA and GTEx databases. Differences in IGF2BP2 expression between various kinds of cancer tissues and normal tissues were analysed. Results This meta-analysis contained 6 case–control studies, with 5,908 cases and 7,890 controls. There was only an association between IGF2BP2 rs4402960 polymorphism and cancer risk in the heterozygous genetic model (heterozygous: OR = 1.080, 95% CI = 1.003–1.163, p = 0.041). The sensitivity analysis examined the effect of various research studies on the combined OR by deleting one study by turns. No publication bias was found in the genetic models. We found that IGF2BP2 was over-expressed in breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer (P < 0.001). Conclusions The results of meta-analysis showed that IGF2BP2 gene polymorphism may be related to cancer risk. IGF2BP2 was over-expressed in Breastcancer, Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Breast cancer and esophageal cancer tissues. IGF2BP2 may be used as an index of early cancer screening and prognosis treatment.